Ex-Fujitsu boss demands probe into sacking

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The ousted president of Fujitsu, Kuniaki Nozoe, is increasing the pressure on his former employer by demanding to know why it has still not appointed an independent body to investigate his sacking.

Nozoe played reporters a recording of the meeting with board members and advisers which resulted in his departure. He has threatened legal action in order to get his job back.

The tape revealed Nozoe was asked several questions about his relationship to an investment fund and two of its executives. Fujitsu described that fund as having "an unfavourable reputation" - widely interpreted as meaning it has links to organised crime and the Yakuza. The board then told him he should either resign or be sacked.

Nozoe asked why he had not been warned but accepted the decision of the board. He can then be heard signing the papers, the Financial Timesreports.

Fujitsu has previously said it had warned Nozoe about the links before and he had failed to end the relationship. It has said he was not guilty of any crime but had failed to properly carry out his duties.

The company has refused requests for further comment because of the likelihood of this ending up in court.

Three directors of Fujitsu are being sued for defamation by Sandringham Private Value, a subsidiary of Sandringham Capital Partners, the FT reports. The company denies any unsavoury links.

Fujitsu's new president told reporters this week that the episode showed the strength of its corporate governance procedures because they successfully got rid of Nozoe. ®